Sisters youth excels in dressage

When 9-year-old Lauren Martin asked for riding lessons at a small dressage barn in Salem three years ago, she had no idea that her love of horses would lead her on a whirlwind journey of events that would change her life.

Today, at 12 years old, Martin is an accomplished dressage rider with local, regional, and national honors to her credit.

Dressage is a French term meaning "training" and its purpose is to develop the horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to work, making him calm, supple, and attentive to his rider.

"It was my friend from school and a neighbor that were taking riding lessons that inspired me to do the same," Martin said.

Then after taking riding lessons for about a year Martin connected with her aunt, Tina Billings in Tumalo, at her cousin's wedding.

Billings' background centers around horses and riding dressage.

"Lauren and Tina had so much in common about horses. They really hit it off," said Nichole Martin, Lauren's mother.

One month after the wedding the Martins received a phone call from Billings. She had found a horse that might be perfect for Martin to ride.

"Tina and I bought the rescue horse," Nichole said. "It was a spontaneous decision and I didn't tell Lauren right away. The Arabian pinto horse stayed at Tina's barn and we named him Charlie, since Lauren always wanted a horse with that name.

Billings and Martin hired a trainer that was willing to work with Charlie.

"We wanted to make sure he would be safe for Lauren to ride."

During that year, the Martins met Natalie Perry, a professional dressage trainer in Tumalo, who really fit the bill for young Lauren.

"I asked Natalie if she would train Lauren in dressage," Martin said.

Although Perry does not have many junior riders, she saw potential in Lauren.

Martin was attending elementary school in Salem at the time and they drove over two hours to Tumalo for lessons with Perry and drove back.

For six months the Martins commuted, and then last year Nichole made the decision to move closer to Tumalo so her daughter could continue with her career in dressage.

In March 2015 Martin found an apartment in Sisters. And Lauren began her journey testing the waters in the world of dressage with Charlie.

"Perry began getting Lauren's feet wet by taking her to some local dressage shows in Central Oregon. Then her dressage training began, but last May with the season opener less than a week away Charlie broke his leg and we had to put him down," Martin said.

However, one month prior, an owner of a retired Friesian dressage horse named Pyter came to Perry's barn in Tumalo looking to sell him. Perry took into consideration that Pyter might be the perfect horse for Lauren since he was experienced in dressage.

"Natalie and I bought the horse to help teach Lauren more about dressage," Martin said. "It was all very strange how things turned out. We all tried to focus on the positive."

The Martins were faced with a tragedy and Lauren chose to keep on going.

"Mom called the show manager and they switched the horse that I was to ride to Pyter. I had only ridden Pyter eight times, but I took him to my very first local show in Tumalo, the 'Spring Fling' season opener, last minute," Martin said.

It was her first big win.

Not only did Martin win her class, but had the highest score for the whole season for the local chapter of dressage for junior young riders.

Pyter became her closest companion, and she spent four to five hours a day in the barn training and has continued with bigger dressage shows with Perry as her trainer.

"Lauren is committed to the sport of dressage and her horse. She puts in time and energy in and out of the barn, which helps her become a better rider and partner with Pyter. She is driven to become the best she can be while maintaining the health and comfort of her horse, which will make her more successful in the dressage arena," Perry said.

Martin has been home-schooling Lauren since moving to Sisters to continue her rigorous training schedule.

After Martin's first accomplishment, she went on to qualify at multiple recognized shows in Oregon, California, and Washington, where her scores qualified her to go to state and regionals

"I went to Tule Lake in California to another rated show and I won three 2nd places and a 6th place," Martin said. "It was by far my favorite show because you got to camp with your horses."

Oregon Dressage Society (ODS) state championships were at Devonwood, where she won reserve champion.

After winning state shows a youth participant moves on to regional shows, and at the region 6 Northwest championship show Martin placed 10th for her level. This was the biggest show with the most participants for the year, coming from all over the Northwest.

Martin has recently received one of the highest honors in her class. The National Shining Star Award presented by the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) recognizes outstanding sportsmanship by youth.

"The Central Oregon Chapter of Oregon Dressage Society nominated Lauren for Shining Star award because she exemplifies team spirit, sportsmanship and overcoming adversity," Martin told The Nugget. "And in 2016 there were only 12 people in the nation nominated for the shining star."

"Dressage is my happy place," Lauren said. "It's the best thing in the world. You have a connection with your horse. It means focus, concentration and patience that are all rewarded by hard work. My goal is to earn all the medals from USDF."